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It’s starting to really warm up here in New Jersey! With the season about to change, here are 5 fun ways for seniors to keep cool!

Crane’s Mill resident reading a book in our library.

1. Visit your local library. The library has come a long way in recent years, transforming into a multi-media haven not only reserved for the newest books and periodicals—there are DVDs, CDs, and so much more available for free. Why not stop by the library, grab a gripping novel you’ve never read, check out a movie you’ve heard good things about, and pick up a CD of hits from your youth. Before you know it, you’ll have spent hours perusing all sorts of fun stuff, and you’ll be prepped and ready to embark on number two on our list…

2. Enjoy the air conditioner. There’s nothing quite like the modern comfort of a simple air conditioner. Whether it’s a window unit or central air, take advantage of staying indoors during the heat of the day. Experts say the sun is strongest from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., but be sure to check your local forecast for when the heat and sun will cause the most damage for the day, and choose those hours to sit back, relax and enjoy a book, movie, tv show, some music, or make a long overdue phone call to a loved one. Here’s an air conditioning tip: make sure you or someone you trust cleans your air conditioning filters and preps the system for the summer so you can enjoy the cool, clean air once it’s needed.

3. Visit a museum. Chances are, there are local museums that you haven’t visited in a long time, and some you may have never yet experienced! At Crane’s Milll, we have an array of museums nearby in Montclair, Morristown, and of course New York City, and we arrange trips out to each of them on a regular basis. To get started, look in the local paper or search the web for the latest exhibits and classes. Many are free or discounted for seniors.

4. Volunteer for a good cause. So many local charities and organizations need help, and with key personnel on summer vacations, sometimes they need an extra hand or two to help out. You may find yourself doing something simple like stuffing envelopes or something more involved like coordinating a charity drive or laying out a fundraising journal. Since school is out of session, ask if you can bring along a grandchild or niece or nephew so you can spend some quality time doing something new and interesting.

The stage is set for a fun way to stay cool!

5. Take in a matinee. Whether it’s a musical, drama, or even a movie, the theatre is always a fun time. Sure, this one might cost a little more than the other suggestions on the list, but there’s no harm in treating yourself once in a while. Plus there are likely senior discounts on what might already be discounted matinee prices. It doesn’t need to be Broadway either—look in the local paper or search the web for community theaters and other groups who perform in the summer. You may find something you’ve never seen before or discover a new take on an old favorite.

What you may not know is that 18 of our 66 Assisted Living apartments are part of a specifically designated Memory Support Unit. This spacious, secure, and beautifully-designed environment has specialized staffing, dining, and recreational programs specially geared to those living with memory challenges.

Senior Living at Crane’s Mill provides the finest in apartments, cottages, food, services, amenities, and of course, the freedom to truly enjoy the winter season without concern for snow or ice.

What are you favorite winter memories? Ours include celebrating the holidays with family and friends. But sometimes, especially as we age, it becomes harder to enjoy the winter season because of snow, ice, and extreme cold weather.

For Crane’s Mill residents, those worries are a thing of the past. They can focus on doing the things they truly enjoy, like staying active and healthy, taking a swim in our indoor pool, reading a book by the fire, and enjoying restaurant-style dining—all without traipsing through the snow or driving on dangerous icy roads.

Here is a look at just some of the services and amenities offered at Crane’s Mill that keep our residents active and healthy all winter long:

At Crane’s Mill, we have an indoor pool and hot tub, perfect for keeping you active and healthy all year long.

A water aerobics class in the Crane’s Mill pool

We are always looking for the latest news on healthy aging. One topic that of course remains at the top of the list for feeling your best for longer is keeping fit and active.

One great way to achieve fitness is swimming. Swimming is considered low-impact, and is easy on the joints. So it’s perfect for everyone from the “Mr. Olympia’s” among us to novice seniors who are just beginning an exercise program.

Swimming can be great for movement, cardiovascular health and the overall mental health benefits that come from exercising in a fun way with friends.

Of course, you should consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. For more on swimming, we found an article “10 Health Benefits of Swimming” that you may find interesting.

Residents do not need to go outside to get to an array of services and amenities, not the least of which is our swimming pool. It’s open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A few mornings each week, there are programs such as water aerobics, lap swim and water walking. So if you like to stay fit or simply like to splash around with your grandchildren, our pool is likely to be one of your favorite spots on campus.

Staying active as we age is paramount to leading fulfilling lives. Sometimes as we get older, we start to need some help maintaining the lifestyle we desire. That’s where the Crane’s Mill Health Center shines.

Our Health Center consists of four levels of care:Assisted Living – a collection of studio apartments providing an elegant lifestyle with supportive care for our activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, and going to meals.Memory Support – a secure area of our community with specialized staff and programming specifically designed for those with memory impairment.Skilled Nursing – for both short- and long-term, round-the-clock senior healthcare.Sub-Acute Rehab – short-term rehabilitation for those needed physical, occupational, speech, swallowing therapies and so much more.

Interested in learning more? Call us at 973-276-3016 or click here to send us an email to schedule a tour. In the meantime, please enjoy our video tour of the health center: